J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2002 Apr;9(1):133-143.

Factors Influencing Health Promoting Behavior in the Elderly People: Perceived Conception of Health and Family Support

• Kim CG
• Sung MS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe perceived conception of health, family support and health promoting behavior; as well as to assess factors that influence health promoting behavior. METHOD: Study participants were 165 elderly people over the age of 65, living in C city. The instruments were Laffery's health concept scale, the family support scale by Kang, and the health promoting behavior scale by Walker et al.
RESULTS
1. The scores for level of health concept ranged from 28 to 112, and had a mean score of 75.16. The scores for level of family support ranged from 11 to 55, and had a mean score of 41.55. The scores for health promoting behavior ranged from 40 to 160 with mean score of 98.07. For health promoting behavior the participants revealed that the most frequent practices were in nutrition, and the least frequent, in exercise. 2. Higher levels of health conception and family support were correlated with an improving level of health promoting behavior . 3. The factor most influencing health promoting behavior in elderly people was family support. Family support accounted for 11% of the variance in health promoting behavior. A combination of health conception, education level and dwelling pattern accounted for 23% of the variance in health promoting behavior.
CONCLUSION
Perceived health conception and family support were identified as important variables for health promoting behavior in elderly people.

Keyword

Aged; Health promoting behavior; Health conception; Family support

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Education
Family Health
Fertilization*
Health Status
Humans